VintageModern Design Challenge - Flour Garden Apron

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VintageModern Design Challenge

I’ve so much enjoyed creating this apron for the VintageModern Design Challenge. When I saw Amy Barickman’s book, Vintage Notions, I knew I would love looking through it and choosing just the right pattern. Making a pattern using only the measurements given in a Magic Pattern and altering it here and there, was so much fun and has given me a much needed respite from an unusually stressful year.

My “Flour Garden Apron” for the VintageModern Design Challenge, is designed from a Magic Pattern in Amy Barickman’s book, Vintage Notions. I constructed and cut the pattern using the “Comfortable/Economic Apron“ (1926) pattern (pp. 172-173). Then I altered it to suit my more modern preferences.

Though the body of the apron is cut according to the book’s pattern measurements, I cut 2 apron bodies instead of one for my unique design purposes. Rather than a single neck strap, I made two separate longer ties and waist sashes in order to make the apron more adjustable and versatile toward fitting a larger range of sizes and wearing preferences for today’s modern woman. The apron can be worn long to cover dresses or raised with the sashes for wear with jeans or shorts.

Though my construction of this apron gives the appearance around its edges, of it having been lined, the “lining” fabric is actually the main body of the apron. The coordinating fabric edging the apron was reverse appliqud (by reversing the fabrics) with free motion stitching, following the design in the fabric, rather than using a conventional border appliqu design. Cutting away the bulk of the repositioned fore fabric, the edges were then trimmed and left raw to become soft frayed edges both for a dimensional look and to maintain the natural comfort of the apron when worn.

Because of the added bulk of the extra layer of fabric at the sides, instead of the directed gathering in the book’s instructions, I opted for using pleats instead, accenting them with coordinating vintage pink satin ribbon to include the pleats as part of the design rather than being merely functional.

The pocket was made square and treated in the same manner as the body of the apron, placed right of front, one corner turned down for interest.

Two matching vintage mother of pearl buttons were used at either side accenting the satin ribbon and 3 different matching vintage buttons used to accent the pocket and front of the straps at the bodice.

1 Reply

Thank you so much! Don’t need to cook. Aprons are the in thing now, just to wear around the house to do your housework in. It’s a lovely idea to feel a little special for such tedious tasks. Put on a pretty apron, plug in some music and dance with your broom! ;) When I have the time, I’ll post my technique for the “applique”. Thanks again for such a nice compliment! :) Rosey

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